Antarctic reaches new levels of carbon pollution

. This is the first step in controlling both global warming and air pollution.

By Jose Jefferies |
Aug 14, 2016

The continent was the last part of the earth that carbon dioxide levels had not reached 400ppm (parts per million). Scientists attributed this to the small human population and industries in the location. However, new research shows that it has just surpassed this limit marking a new phase in humanity restructuring the earth.

Antarctic has not experienced such high carbon concentrations in its atmosphere for the past 4 million years. It has also not achieved this at such a fast rate throughout its history. Scientists believe this only fuels the believe that Humans have influenced the restructuring of the earth more than any other species or natural occurrence.

Researchers insist that there is no going back on the continent now. Although the area itself emits less carbon dioxide, most places in the northern hemisphere are releasing the gas so much that its atmosphere cannot contain it anymore. This has resulted to the excess carbon dioxide spilling over to The Antarctic.

"The increase of carbon dioxide is everywhere, even as far away as you can get from civilization," said Pieter Tans, a carbon-monitoring scientist. "If you emit carbon dioxide in New York, some fraction of it will be in the South Pole next year."

Carbon dioxide is the biggest pollutant. It causes more than 50 percent of climate change and is responsible for 13 percent of melted icecaps in at the poles. However, the world's nation did come to gather to form the Paris agreement that stated that countries will pull together and ensure they emit fewer pollutants. This is the first step in controlling both global warming and air pollution.

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